Chapter 78: First Meeting with Doudou

Shen Siyuan didn’t answer Lin Manzhi’s question but asked instead: “Did she say something to you?”

Lin Manzhi nodded and said: “She said you haven’t reached out to her these past few days.”

Sure enough, Jiang Tingyu had been waiting for Shen Siyuan to contact her first.

Shen Siyuan wasn’t surprised by this; given Jiang Tingyu’s looks, she could never keep pursuing a man actively—she only needed to show a little affection and kindness, and the man would naturally come after her.

She believed she had already shown enough affection and goodwill toward Shen Siyuan; he should have given her more feedback in return.

But she never expected Shen Siyuan to simply vanish.

This made her feel uneasy, so she stopped reaching out to him altogether.

But since Lin Manzhi had brought it up, Shen Siyuan decided it was better to clarify things directly.

So he said: “A friend introduced me to someone two days ago. We both felt we got along well, so we decided to try dating.”

Lin Manzhi froze, as if still processing it, then asked: “Then what about Tingyu?”

“Isn’t she not interested in dating right now?” Shen Siyuan asked in return.

Lin Manzhi knew Jiang Tingyu’s situation; she sighed, sounding disappointed: “Tingyu is such a good girl.”

Shen Siyuan understood her meaning and replied: “I never said she isn’t. But—no one should wait for someone else.”

Shen Siyuan chose to be blunt: if she didn’t want to date, then don’t waste each other’s time.

“I think, given her qualities, she can find someone better,” Shen Siyuan added gently.

But Lin Manzhi smiled. Jiang Tingyu was just her friend, not her daughter—she was merely disappointed things hadn’t worked out.

She asked curiously: “What does your new date look like? How could you give up a beauty like Tingyu?”

“If we work out, I think you’ll get a chance to meet her,” Shen Siyuan smiled, offering no further explanation.

When she met Ruan Hongzhuang, she’d understand why Shen Siyuan chose her over Jiang Tingyu.

Ruan Hongzhuang said she’d contact him at noon, and precisely at 12:00, she called right on time.

Probably because it was their first call, and Ruan Hongzhuang had zero experience with dating, she suddenly found herself speechless after answering—she hesitated for ages, then blurted out: “I’m sorry.”

Shen Siyuan blinked, then burst into laughter.

He thought this Ruan Hongzhuang was utterly adorable—her cold, elegant demeanor clashed so sharply with this awkward moment.

“Was I not supposed to say that?”

Hearing Shen Siyuan laugh, Ruan Hongzhuang didn’t get angry—instead, she seemed to have found a topic.

“Yeah, who greets someone like that?”

“I know I shouldn’t have,” Ruan Hongzhuang said.

Of course she knew what to say—she wasn’t stupid. She’d just been too flustered, forgot her words, and because the silence dragged on too long, she blurted out “I’m sorry.”

Shen Siyuan laughed a few times, then stopped—laughing longer would’ve been impolite.

He comforted her: “It’s fine. At least I’ll never forget how our first call went.”

“That’s true.”

Ruan Hongzhuang believed his words, and her tone even carried a hint of pride.

Once the conversation flowed, Ruan Hongzhuang relaxed and spoke more naturally.

She told Shen Siyuan that if they were hiking tomorrow, she’d need to wear flat sports shoes—but all she owned were high heels…

She told Shen Siyuan she’d checked online and found a great movie playing tomorrow morning…

She told Shen Siyuan that Jiang Tao had recommended a delicious Sichuan restaurant—they could go together tomorrow…

She told Shen Siyuan that while shopping tomorrow, could he accompany her to the folk street? She’d wanted to go for a long time but never had the chance…

…

When Ruan Hongzhuang spoke to Shen Siyuan, her tone was soft and unhurried, carrying the gentle, melodic lilt unique to southern Jiangnan women—nothing like her usual crisp, clear Mandarin.

She wasn’t pretending—she was from Siming and spoke Wu dialect naturally; she only used Mandarin for work.

Listening to her voice, even without seeing her, one could picture a graceful, elegant woman.

Shen Siyuan was a good listener—not just listening, but occasionally offering a reply.

He had experience: when he courted his first girlfriend, he’d talk for ages while she stayed silent, and that drove him crazy.

No feedback meant no clue about her attitude—or even whether she was listening at all.

After that, Shen Siyuan learned how to be a good listener.

There were countless such examples; though his first relationship wasn’t perfect, it taught him a lot.

At first, they didn’t know what to talk about.

But once they started, like all young lovers, they seemed to have endless things to say.

Only when they looked up did they realize it was already afternoon, time for work.

Fortunately, Glory Animation had lax management; Shen Siyuan ordered takeout for himself.

Zhou Chuan saw it and merely said: “You didn’t eat until now?”—then said no more.

This was one reason Shen Siyuan liked this job.

As long as you met your monthly KPI and weren’t late, no boss would lecture you.

Today was Friday, and Ding Youguang had planned a group dinner, so after work, Shen Siyuan didn’t ride his electric scooter.

Instead, he took a taxi alone to the restaurant—he didn’t invite Ding Youguang or Zhou Zhengdao along.

Because everyone at the company knew Ding Youguang had feelings for Li Qunfang; he was giving Zhou Zhengdao and Li Qunfang a chance to be alone.

He didn’t invite Ding Youguang because Ding was still printing the contract.

Since Ding Youguang was from the north, he booked a northeastern restaurant, claiming it was authentic and that he ate there often.

Shen Siyuan arrived first, then Zhou Zhengdao and Li Qunfang, and finally Ding Youguang.

“Took long enough to get you out—must be Zhou Zhengdao’s influence.”

Seeing Li Qunfang, Shen Siyuan teased her.

The girl was introverted, quiet, wearing a European-style puffy dress that made her look much younger than her actual age.

Shen Siyuan’s remark only earned a faint smile—she didn’t respond.

But when they started talking about games and art styles, she finally opened up.

She suggested a cute Q-version style, since most viewers at home were elderly or children, and those playing on TV were mostly kids—so Q-style art would attract them best…

Her suggestion was excellent and was adopted, finalizing the art style.

They talked a lot that night and signed the contract.

Ding Youguang handled this well—he sorted out profit distribution beforehand, giving everyone something to look forward to and avoiding later disputes.

When Shen Siyuan stepped out of the restaurant, it was nearly ten at night.

Ding Youguang lived farthest away and left first by taxi, then Zhou Zhengdao and Li Qunfang shared a taxi.

Finally, only Shen Siyuan remained. He considered taking a taxi too, but had drunk a little, so he wanted to walk in the evening breeze and headed to the bus stop alone.

As he walked, he chatted with Ruan Hongzhuang on WeChat.

“Should I drive to pick you up?”

“No, you rest early. The bus is here—I’m getting on.”

As the No. 6 bus slowly pulled up before him, Shen Siyuan quickly exited the chat, opened his transit app, and scanned to board.

Though the bus was nearly empty, Shen Siyuan still habitually walked toward the back seats.

Then he saw a little girl, about four or five years old, sitting alone in the very last row.

Shen Siyuan saw her.

She saw him too.

The girl had unusually large, bright eyes, two pigtails, and wore a clean, crisp blue-and-white striped dress.

But around her neck was a deep, gaping wound—black, bottomless, twisted and grotesque.

She’d clearly been slashed across the throat; who could be so cruel? Such a sweet little girl—and still they’d done it.

The girl noticed Shen Siyuan staring at her—she was both surprised and delighted.

She seemed to want to speak to him but was timid.

So she stared at him with wide, glistening eyes.

Only when Shen Siyuan sat beside her and spoke did she finally realize—he could truly see her.

“What’s your name?” Shen Siyuan asked.

“Lin Yunduo,” the girl whispered.

“I’m Shen Siyuan. How old are you?” he asked gently.

“Five,” Lin Yunduo said timidly.

“It’s so late—what are you doing on the bus?” Shen Siyuan asked further.

Fortunately, the bus was nearly empty, and he sat in the back, so no one noticed.

“I want to go home,” Lin Yunduo said, voice trembling with tears.

The wound on her neck was so deep and wide—when she lowered her head, Shen Siyuan genuinely feared her head might fall off.

Then—

Her head actually fell off.

PS: Doudou appears. Those who know the situation understand.